Headlight testing apparatus



Dec. 19, 1944. H. e. HOLMES HEADLIGHT TESTING. APPARATUS Original FiledMarch 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m may 2 INVENTOR V HERBERT 6 HOLMES I05Gfi-Z.

ATTORNEY Dec. 19, 1944.

v H. 5. HOLMES HEADLIGHT TESTING APPARATUS Original Filed March 3. 19412 Sheets$heet 2 F1 EAL P 'Il3 E INVENTOR HERBERT 6. HOLMES ATTomJEY Illv with the accompanying drawings in which by the arrows -5 in Fig.4;

generally designated by thenumeral I00. standisadaptecltoxrun one, trackI02 (Fig. 1) 1 Patented Dec. 19, 1944 HEADLIGHT TESTING'APPARATUS.Herbert G. Holmes, Lansing, Mich., assignor to Food MachineryCorporation, San'Jose,'Calif.,

a corporation of Delaware nOriginal application March 3, 1941, SerialNo.381,455. Divided and this application July 15,

1942, Serial No. 450,999

19 Claims. (Cl. 248-125) Ths invention relatesto headlight testingapparatus and moreparticularly to a stand and mounting for headlighttesting devices.

The presentapplication-isa division of my copending application, Serial'No. 381,455, filed March 3, 1941.

An object ism-provide a supporting stand for headlight testinginstruments or other devices which. is of improved construction.

Anotherobject ofathislinvention is to provide an improvedportable stand'having a readily adjustable supportforholding and aiming a head- .lighttesting instrument or device.

A further object isto provide an instrument supporting stand providing afine and readily'ac- .cessible adjustment for the instrument support.

An additional objectis toprovide a stand for supporting and aiming aheadlighttesting instrument or device and that indicates the'angularposition thereof with regard to the car when determining the horizontalaim of the headlight beam.

Still another object'is to provide an improved .standconstruction fordetachably mounting and .locking the headlight testing instrument ordevice to the support.

The e and other objects ,of the invention will .be more readilyunderstood from the following descriptionand the claims takeninconjunction Fig. 1 is a side. elevation of the stand of my 1 inventionWithga headlight 1 testing instrument in position on the. supportthereof;

' Fig. 2,is a" fragmentary section taken asindicated by the arrows2-.2.inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 isia vertical section takenas indicated bythe arrows 3-3. in Fig.2;

Fig. .4 is @a .front elevation of the stand with theheadlighttestinginstrument removed therefrom; i

Fig.. 5 .is ahorizontalzsection taken as indicated Fig. 6 is a.fragmentary vertical section taken as-indicated by the arrows 6-6 inFig. 4; and

Fig. 7=is an, enlarged sectional detail taken at 'I'I of Fig. 5 withtheheadlight testing instrument in placeshowing the manner ofsecuringthe same.

Reierringto "the drawing wherein similar numerals indicate the sameparts of the structure, 20 (Fig.1) is a'headlight testing device orinstrument, for instance that disclosed in my copending applicationaforesaid, mounted on a stand The which has parallelrails I03, I04.Flanged rollers I05, I06 (Fig. 4) engage the rail I04 and a roller I01(Figs-land 4) engages the rail I03. The threerollers I 05, I06, I 01 aresuitably mounted in the base IIO of the stand. Two parallel -columnsIlland II2 (Fig. 4) are rigidly secured at their lower ends inthe baseH0 and rise vertically therefrom. The upper ends of the columns areinterconnected by means ofayoke casting H3.

Asupportindicated generally at I20 (Figs. 1

lands) is vertically adjustable on amount, for instance the columns IIIand H2.

The support I20'has two bearing portions I2I, I22 which provideslidingbearings for the support I20 on the columns III, I12. -Thebearing portions I2I, I22

are interconnected by a transverse-web I23 cast integrally therewith."Extending forwardly from the web I23 and cast integrally therewith isan rA horizontalaimbar I25 (Fig. 1) for aiming the instrument 20,:ismounted on the arm I24 for swinging movement: in a horizontal plane bymeans of aqvertical pivot I26. As shown in detail. in Figafipa boss I2!is formed in the'front end of the arm I24. This boss hasa vertical boreI28 and a counterbore I29. The .pivot pin I30 fitsin the bore I28 and isriveted to the horiz-ontal aim bar I25 at I3I. The lower end of thepivot pinl30 is threaded to receive a nut I32. A compression spring I33is interposed between the nut and the shoulderof the counterbore I29.The pivot pin I30 which is rigidly attached tothe bar I 25 is freetorotate in the bore'l28 and the'spring I33 holdsthe under side of thebar I25against the upper face I34 ofthe boss I21.

The rear-end of the horizontal aim bar I25 --(Fig. 1) rests upon anupstanding rib 135, formed -on the web I23of the support I20, and isfree=to'slide backnand forth thereon as the bar turns about it pivot I26. IA handle I36 for swinging the bar I25 .is rigidly attachedthereto atI31. To the underside of the handle I36 is fastened as by welding ;anoffset forwardly directed finger I38 which, with the handle f I36,straddles a ledge I39 formed integrally with the support I20 and.projecting rearwardly-from the web I23 (Fig.

1). The. finger I38 substantially engages the ledge I39 for preventinglifting or distortion of .the bar I25and also serves to guide the samewhen making an adjustment. As shown in Fig.

5, the handle I36 has a window I42 therein provided with'a cross hairI43 for indicating the position of the horizontal aimbar I25 relative toa-n'arcuate scale I44. The ledge I 300i the support I20 supports thescale I44. For a purpose hereinafter explained, the scale I44 is madeadjustable. It is attached to the ledge I39 by screws I46 (Fig. 1) andI41 (Fig. provided with knurled clamping nuts. The screws pass throughshort arcuate slots, such as I48, formed in each end of the scale. Whenthe nuts are loosened the scale can be adjusted by shifting it laterallyand the adjustment can then be maintained by tightening the nuts.

An instrument supporting bar I50 (Fig. 1) is attached to the forward endof the horizontal aim bar I25 by means of a resilient member, forinstance a spring steel strap I5I which acts as a hinge, without anywear or lost motion. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the strap I5I is securedto the bar- I50 by rivets I52 and to the bar I25 by rivets I53. Rivetedto the bar I50 and strap I5I is a dowel pin I54. The rear end of thesupporting bar I50 (Fig. 5) has a threaded aperture I55 which receivesan adjusting set screw I60 (Fig. 1) which bears against the horizontalaim bar I25. Turning of the adjusting screw I60 causes the supportingbar I50 to rock on its hinge l5l.

The headlight testing instrument 20 is adapted to be detachably mountedon the supporting bar I50 in a predetermined position. A supportingbracket I62 (Fig. 1) is rigidly secured to the under side of the barI50. This bracket has laterally extending wings I63 (Figs. 4 and 5). Theinstrument is supported by the bar I50 and the wings I63. It. is fixedin a predetermined position thereon by means of dowel pins. The frontdowel pin I54 (Fig. 6) has already been referred to. The rear dowel pinI64 (Figs. 1 and 5) is rigidly secured as by riveting in the bar I50 andbracket I62, as shown in Fig. '1. Fig. 7 also illustrates the manner ofmounting the instrument 20 to the bar I50. Thus, the bottom I6I of theinstrument case has two elongated apertures I66, only one of which isshown in Fig. 7, into which the dowel pins fit. After the instrument hasbeen positioned on the bar I50 (Figs. 1 and 7) with the dowel pins I54,I64 in the large portion of the apertures I66, (Fig. 7), the instrumentis secured in place by a set screw I68 (Figs. 1 and 7) threaded througha post I69 which is rigidly mounted as by riveting to the bar I50. Whenthe set screw I68 is tightened the instrument, 20 is shifted forwardlyon the bar I50 to engage the rear edges of the narrow portions of theapertures I66 (Fig. '7) under the shoulders I61 on the dowel pins I54and I64.

Means are provided to facilitate adjusting the instrument and itssupport vertically on the columns I I I, II2 of the stand. Tocounterbalance the weight of the instrument and the support I20 (Fig. 4)a spring wound reel I10 is rotatably mounted in the yoke H3 at the topof the stand. A tape I1I attached to the reel and wound thereon isconnected at I12 to the support I20. This enables the support I20 to bereadily and easily slid up and down on the columns III, II2.

In order to permit the operator to obtain fine adjustments the deviceshown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3 is provided. Formed integrally with thebearing portion I2I of the support I20 is an enclosure I15 having anupper wall I16 and a lower wall I11. This enclosure is open at the rearto permit the entrance of a jaw I18 formed on a lever I80. The lever I80has a hub I8I bored to receive a pin I82 which is supported in ears I83,I84 formed integrally with the support I20.

The jaw I18 of the lever I80 enters a notch I85 (Fig. 2) formed in aplate I86 and is adapted to engage the plate on its top or bottom depending on whether the lever I80 is turned clockwise or counter clockwise,respectively, on its pivot I82 (Fig. 3). The plate I86 has a hole I88therein which is larger in diameter than the column 'III which the plateencompasses. A compression spring I89 is interposed between the plateI86 and the upper wall I16 of the enclosure I15, and another compressionspring I90 is interposed between the plate and the lower wall I11.

The operation of the fine adjustment device is as follows: Normally theparts occupy the positions shown in Fig. 3 where the two springs I89,I90 maintain the plate I86 horizontal. When the lever I80 is depressedthe jaw I18 is tilted and cramped against the column and continueddepression of the lever I causes the support to be moved downwardly, thejaw using the plate as a fulcrum. If the support cannot be lowered asfar as desired with one movement of the lever its is released, whereuponthe springs restore the parts to normal. The lever can then be depressdagain and the plate will take a fresh grip on the column and the supportcan be lowered further. Conversely, the support can be raised by liftingthe lever I80, in which case the plate is tilted the other way. Thedevice is thus reversible in operation and permits very delicateadjustments of the support vertically on the columns.

It is to be observed that in operation of the fine adjustment device ona stand of the character illustrated in the drawings, the springcounterbalance I10 holds the instrument in any vertical position that itis placed so that the springs I89 and I90 may restore the lever I80 andplate I86 to their normal position when the instrument is moved up anddown.

The operation of utilizing the stand of my invention for testing theheadlights of an automobile will now be described. An automobile isdriven up to the track I02 so that the center line of the automobile isapproximately at right angles to the track, and so that there issufiicient clearance between the headlight tester and the front end ofthe automobile to permit the tester stand to be rolled along the trackin front of the automobile. The line of travel of the vehicle and therelation of that line to the track I02 is then determined by themeans'set forth in my copending application aforesaid.

The instrument stand is then moved and the instrument is adjusted tobring the sights 200, 20I of the instrument 20 into line with the lineof travel of the automobile. Usually, because of the fact that theautomobile does not travel in a line exactly at right angles to thetrack, it is necessary to swing the horizontal aim bar I25 (Fig. 5) bymeans of the'handle I36 in order to bring the instrument sights intoline. After alignment of the sigths the horizontal aim scale I44 isadjusted by loosening the nuts on the screws I46, I41 to bring the zeromark of the scale under the cross hair I43. Then the nuts are tightenedto hold the scale in adjusted position. In this manner the angularrelationship between the line of travel of the automobile and the trackis established and maintained throughout the test.

The stand is then rolled along the track to position the instrument infront of the left-hand headlight. The instrument is adjusted to bringits longitudinal axis into line with the headlight beam. To so positionthe'instrument the following instruments are available: Horizontaltranslation by rolling the stand on the track. Vertical translation bymoving the support I20 (Fig. 1) on the columns Ill, H2, fine adjustmentsbeing obtained by operating the lever I80. Tilting in a vertical planeis eifected by turning the screw I60. Swinging in a horizontal plane isobtained by operating the handle [36 to turn the bar I25 about its pivotI26.

When the instrument has been positioned in line with the beam thehorizontal aim is indicated by the cross hair I43 on the scale I44. Thevertical aim is determined as described in my copending applicationaforesaid. After the lefthand headlight has been tested the stand isrolled along the track to position the instrument infront of theright-hand headlight and the procedure for testing the beam is repeated.

While the particular apparatus herein described is well adapted forcarrying out the objects of the present invention it will be understoodthat various modifications, changes, and substitutions may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the present invention andthepresent invention is to be construed to include all such modifications,changes and substitutions as may come within the scope of the followingclaims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by I Letters Patent is:

l. A- stand comprising a mount, a support movable relative to saidmount, and means for adjusting the support with respect to said mountincluding a member to engage said mount, and an actuator on the supportfor cramping said member against the mount and for moving the supportrelative thereto.

2. A stand comprising a mount, a support slidable on said mount, andmeans for moving the support relative to said mount including a memberto engage said mount, and lever means associated with the member and.support for cramping said member against, said mount and for moving saidsupport relative thereto.

3. A stand comprising a column, a suppor slidable on said column, afloating member for engaging said column, and means for cramping saidmember against said column and for shifting the support relativethereto.

4. A stand comprising a column, a support slidable on said column, alever for moving said support on said column, and means engageable withsaid column providing a fulcrum for said lever.

5. A stand comprising a vertically disposed column, a verticallyadjustable support slidable on said column, a counterbalance for holdingsaid support in any vertical position, a member on said column normallyout of engagement there- .with, and a lever pivoted in said support forcramping said member against said column and for shifting the supportrelative thereto.

6. A stand comprising a vertically disposed column, a verticallyadjustable support slidable on said column, a member encompassing saidcolumn having an aperture therein of greater diameter than said column,said member being freely movable along said column as long as the axisof said aperture is substantiall coincident with the axis of saidcolumn, and a lever pivoted in said support for tilting said member tobring it into frictional engagement with said column and for shiftingthe support relative thereto.

'1. A headlight testing instrument stand comprising a verticallydisposed column, a vertical- 5 1y adjustable support slidabl on saidcolumn,

and means to move said support vertically including an apertured plateencompassin said column, means in said support for normally maintainingsaid plate in position for free movement along said column, including acounterbalance for said support, and a lever in said support operablefirst to tilt said plate to frictionally engage said plate with saidcolumn and then to move said support relative to said plate.

8. A headlight testing instrument stand comprising a vertically disposedcolumn, a vertically adjustable support on said column, means for movingsaid support vertically on said column and mounting means associatedwith said support for detachably mounting the testing instrumentincluding a member having dowel pins for engaging apertures .in theinstrument and releasable holding means for retaining the dowels in saidapertures.

9. A headlight testing instrument stand comprising a column, anadjustable support on said column and an instrument carrying memberpivotally mounted on said support and provided with projecting elementshaving instrument engaging lips thereon and screw means for locking theinstrument relative to said elements when enged with said lips.

10. A headlight testinginstrument stand comprising a vertically disposedcolumn, a vertically adjustable support on said column, means foradjusting said support vertically on said column, and instrumentmounting means associated with said support including a member having avertical pivot on said support, a second member having a springconnection at on end with the first member and an adjustable connectiontherewith at the other, and means for securing the instrument to thesecond member.

11. A headlight testing instrument stand comprising a mount, a supporton said mount, means for adjusting said support on said mount and meansassociated with said support for holdin the instrument including amember having one end pivotally connected with said support for 50horizontal movement, a second member for receiving the instrument,having one end connected with said first member adjacent said pivot, andprovided with adjustable means at the other end for vertically spacingthe two said 55 members at said end, and cooperating means on saidsupport and on said first member at the end remote from said pivot forindicating the extent of movement of said members about said pivot.

12. A headlight testing instrument stand comprising a verticallydisposed column, a vertically adjustable support on said column andadjustable instrument positioning means on said support including amember having an end pivot- 5 ally mounted at the front end of saidsupport,

a scale cooperating with the opposite end of said member and means foradjusting said scale to vary the zero thereof.

1 13. A headlight testing instrument stand com- 70 prising a mount, anadjustable support on said mount and adjustable instrument positioningand carrying means on said support including a member having means forresiliently mounting the instrument and vertical pivot means securing 75said member to the front end of said support.

14. A headlight testing instrument stand having a vertically adjustablesupport, means for adjusting said support vertically, a horizontal aimbar pivotally mounted on said support, an instrument mounting member andmeans for supporting said member on said bar including a spring steelstrap and an adjusting screw.

15. A headlight testing instrument stand comprising a verticallydisposed column, an adjustable support, means for adjusting said supportvertically on said column, and instrument carrying and positioning meanson said support including a positioning member having a vertical |pivotin said support, a carrying member having spring connection with saidpositioning member and concurrently movable therewith, means on saidpositioning member and substantially engaging said support for swingablymoving said positioning member and carrying member relative to saidsupport and a scale fixed to said support and cooperating with saidpositioning member for indicating the angular position thereof.

16. A headlight testing instrument stand comprising a verticallydisposed column, a vertically adjustable support on said column having abearing portion movable on said column and an arm portion extendinglaterally from said bearing portion, means projecting from said bearingportion for adjusting said support vertically on said column and movableinstrument mounting means 1 associated with said lateral arm including amember having one end lpivotally secured to said arm for horizontalmovement, a second member resiliently connected to said first mentionedmember having means for securing the instrument thereto and anadjustment arm on said first mentioned member for concurrently swing ingth members relative to said lateral arm.

17. A stand comprising a vertically disposed column, a verticallyadjustable support slidable on said column, a member encompassing saidcolumn having an aperture of greater diameter than said column,resilient means normally maintaining said member with the axis of itsaperture substantially coincident with the axis of the column, and alever pivotally mounted on said support for tilting said member intofrictional engagement with said column and for shifting the supportrelative thereto. v

18. A stand comprising a vertically disposed column, a verticallyadjustable support slidable on said column, a member encompassing saidcolumn having an aperture of greater diameter than said column,resilient means intermediate said support and member normallymaintaining said member with the axis of its aperture substantiallycoincident with the axis of the column, and a lever pivotally mounted onsaid support for tilting said member into frictional engagement withsaid column and for shifting the support relative thereto.

19. A stand comprising a column, a support slidable on said column, amember encompassing said column having an aperture of greater diameterthan said column, resilient means nor mally maintaining said member withthe axis of its aperture substantially coincident with the axis of thecolumn, and a lever pivotally mounted on said support and engaging saidmember for tilting the same in one or the opposite direction intofrictional engagement with said column and for shifting the support inone or the opposite :35 direction on said column depending upon thedirection of tilt of said member.

HERBERT G. HOLMES.

CERTiFIGATE 0F CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,5 65,1;10 December 19, 19th.

HERBERT G. HOIMES.

It 'i's hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,second colum l ine 26, for "its" read --it; line 65, for "sigths" read-Sights page5, first column, line )4, for "instruments" read -'--':ad;]ustments--; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with thiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 12th day of June, A. 1).1915.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) I Acting Commissioner of Patents.

